When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
For your consideration is a remarkably rare, historically significant original 1880s photograph featuring the iconic Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley alongside her husband Frank Butler and members of her immediate family.Provenance and Local Discovery:
This exceptional piece was discovered and purchased on April 14, 2018, at a public estate sale in Piqua, Ohio (Miami County), hosted by the Mikolajewski sale Service. Piqua directly neighbors Darke County, Ohio—the precise region where Annie Oakley was born and raised, giving this piece exceptional local provenance and foundational ties to her home community.The Image Details:
Dating to approximately 1884 or 1885, this candid photograph captures an incredibly rare look into Annie Oakley's personal life. This timeframe represents the exact period when Annie and Frank performed with the Sells Circus right before joining Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.The outdoor wilderness camp scene beautifully captures:
- Annie Oakley standing confidently on the left side holding a rifle horizontally across her body.
- Her husband and manager, Frank Butler.
- Annie's sister, her brother-in-law, and their three young children gathered together near the canvas wall tents.
- Historical details including an authentic hand-made quilt draped over the camping gear and a period-accurate coffee box sitting behind the family.
The bottom edge of the photo features the period-correct etched cursive caption reading "Annie Oakley – Sure Shot," commemorating the famous title given to her by Chief Sitting Bull in 1884.The photograph is entirely original to the era and remains securely housed in its stunning, dark, decoratively embossed antique paper matting measuring 6.5 x 5.5 inches. This is an absolute holy grail piece for collectors of genuine Western Americana, historical photography, and women's history. Item will ship heavily reinforced with cardboard backing to ensure absolute protection during transit. Please ask any questions before purchasing. Thank you for looking!
